Way to go Red Sox!

Brett and I enjoyed five wonderful days in Kauai while my mom dealt with fires and three kids at home. We owe a HUGE thanks to my mom for staying so calm allowing us to continue to enjoy our vacation even with all that was going on at home. The kids had an amazing time being spoiled by Nana while we hiked and laid on the beach. She took them to Disneyland with their cousins, played on the floor, made cupcakes, read books, did puzzles, played games and gave in to their every whim. School was canceled all week which gave her even more time to entertain the kids. On top of all that she had to pack up our car in case of a very possible fire evacuation. After we got back we still had a few days left with her here, and Grandpa Wayne joined us too. We went to Sea World and then the Zoo with the boys' cousin Ashley and Eli their first cousin once removed (the boys think that term is pretty cool!) It was so great to see Ashley and Eli! It's fun to watch your niece, who was the center of your world as a kid, grow up to be such a great girl, marry a great guy, and now be a mother herself. Ashley seems so happy and that makes me so happy! I appreciate all my mom did more than she could ever know, thanks Mom, you are the best!




As you can see our house is still standing after the terrible fires that spread through San Diego last week. Our backyard is filthy dirty with black soot, and the kids aren't aloud back there until they give us the ok to spray our houses down with water. The firefighters still need all the water they can get to fight the remaining fires, so we will leave our backyard black until everything is out. They are hoping to have the fires contained by Wednesday and out by Thursday or Friday. We had several friends evacuated, but luckily none of them lost their homes. Fifteen homes were lost in our stake, in our school district 350 families and 20 teachers also lost their homes. Our prayers go out to all those who lost so much due to the fires, and we are grateful our home is dirty, but safe.

All I want for Christmas......

Is my two front teeth! (I can't figure out how to rotate this picture so you'll have to look at it sideways! Sorry, I will learn I'm sure.) Jacob lost his two front teeth this week. He lost the first one on Monday at school, which was very exciting because he got to go to the school nurse and she gave him a cute little white tooth case. The second one came out Wednesday at the park while playing football with the older boys. We think he looks pretty cute! He is learning what he can and cannot eat without two front teeth, and is adjusting to talking. The new teeth are starting to come in, I am just hoping they aren't quite as crooked as the bottom two, we still have many years before braces!

Having family pictures taken at the beach is a great idea unless the wind is blowing, it is too bright outside, or you have a 19 month old (which I obviously do). Taking Sam to the beach and expecting him to sit on my lap and smile for a strange lady with a camera is like taking me to Golden Spoon and telling me I can look without eating. Impossible! Sam wanted nothing of sitting on my lap and posing for pictures, he wanted to run in the waves, play in the sand, and enjoy the beach the way he usually does. I can't say I blame him! We did manage to get a few good shots, I especially love this one of the three boys. It so perfectly depicts each of them. Jacob my sweet boy sits and smiles, Carter my crazy kid is pretending to punch who knows what, and Sam my baby is saying, "where did it go?" Who knows what he's talking about, probably a bird or some kind of animal he saw but is now gone. As for this whole blog thing, we'll see how it goes. Laurie and Sunshine you inspired me! I would love to try to journal through blogging at least a little bit. I don't want these precious days to pass without my remembering them. They go by far too quickly and I know I will soon long for this time!